The Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets are tearing it up three weeks into the NBA season. Yes, they were expected to be better, but this good? Well, let's see if they can continue that kind of play.

The Charlotte Hornets are off to a decent start behind the play of Kemba Walker, and in the wide-open Southeast Division, the Hornets have a shot.

How about the Sacramento Kings? Maybe it's possible Kings general manager Vlade Divac is onto something with his young team, and Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff is getting the most from a team that will play hard, especially defensively.

Milwaukee Bucks 8-1

The Bucks were expected to be better with the continued development of 23-year-old All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and new coach Mike Budenholzer, who figured to bring a more dynamic offense and improved defense. That has happened and manifested itself in improved three-point shooting, and the play of Khris Middleton, who is averaging 19.2 points and shooting 49.3 percent on three-pointers and making a push for his first All-Star appearance.

The guffaws reverberated throughout the league in the summer when Divac called his squad a “super team, just young.” Divac might be on to something with De’Aaron Fox (18.6 points per game), Buddy Hield (19.7 ppg), Willie Cauley-Stein (15.7 ppg, 8.2 rebounds per game), Marvin Bagley III (12.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Justin Jackson and Harry Giles. The Kings have nice victories against Oklahoma City, Memphis and Miami, and the young core looks promising. Fox’s 31-point, 15-assist, 10-rebound night makes him the youngest ever with a 30-15-10 triple double. The addition of Nemanja Bjelica provides even more three-point shooting alongside Hield, who is shooting 48 percent on threes.

Let’s start with the play of Kemba Walker, averaging 28 points, 5.8 assist and 4.3 rebounds and shooting 40.4 percent on three-pointers. A free agent following this season, Walker is going for all the money. His play under first-year coach James Borrego could have the Hornets in the heart of the Southeast Division race. Second-year guard Malik Monk has shown improvement, and former Spurs guard Tony Parker is a perfect veteran addition for Charlotte. Rookie Miles Bridges can play coming off a deep bench. Charlotte has the No. 2 offense, scoring 115.1 points per 100 possessions. Charlotte also is 12th defensively.

Denver Nuggets 8-1

Denver entered the season on the rise given its talent (Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, Will Barton, Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap). No one expected a start that includes victories over Golden State and Utah. It’s another team with a deep roster. Coach Mike Malone has a fluid rotation depending on situations, and 11 players get at least 17 minutes per game. Jokic, the super-skilled 7-footer, averages 18 points, 10 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks, and Harris is one of the league’s best two-way shooting guards averaging 18.9 points. Denver has the third-best net rating in the league, behind Milwaukee and Golden State. It will be interesting to see how they hold up during at tougher schedule for the next month.

Memphis Grizzlies 5-3

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who got the full-time job after handling interim duties most of last season, has the Grizzlies playing strong defense (fourth in the NBA). Though the Grizzlies are trying to get younger players some minutes, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley remain productive and influential veterans, and Garrett Temple has been a valuable addition. Jaren Jackson Jr. is a promising rookie. Can the Grizzlies keep a similar pace in the competitive Western Conference? Either way, they are finding out who will be part of the future, too.

Dec. 3: Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) thought he had a sweet one-handed flush, but Cavaliers defender Tristan Thompson (13) came through with the big block during the second half in Brooklyn. Wendell Cruz, USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 21: LeBron James greets former Cavaliers teammate Tristan Thompson after returning to Cleveland for the first time as a member of the Lakers. James got a hero's welcome, then rallied past his old team for a 109-105 Lakers win. David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 17: Hornets guard Kemba Walker celebrates a big bucket late in the second half against the 76ers in Charlotte. Walker poured in a franchise-record 60 points on the night. Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 3: Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) takes a forearm to the chops from Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) as they fight for position in the paint during the second half in San Antonio. Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

Nov. 1: Hawks guard and oldest player in the league Vince Carter (15) shows he's still got it with a slick pass around Kings defender Kosta Koufos (41) during the second half in Atlanta. Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports